Joseph Benavidez Is Starting To Settle In His New Division

Joseph Benavidez (16-3) has only been fighting as a flyweight for less than a year and is finally finding his groove as a lighter competitor. After five years Benavidez decided to became a 125 pounder, but not before spending time in the WEC and UFC as a bantamweight.

“I feel ready to go right now and in three weeks I’ll be super dangerous,” said Benavidez. “My weight is good, everything’s good. I’m getting comfortable in the flyweight, at the 125 pound weight class, so it’s going to be fantastic.”

In 2012, Benavidez took part in a four person tournament to crown the first UFC flyweight champion. He made it to the finals, but lost in a split-decision fight to the current title holder Demetrious Johnson (16-2-1).

Benavidez returns as the opening bout on the main card at UFC 156 against Ian McCall (11-3-1), who also lost to Johnson in the tournament. Before the loss, Benavidez had racked up four straight wins. McCall’s 2012 consisted of a loss and draw to Johnson, which included a short stint behind bars. McCall said the arrest stemmed from someone saying he was a drug dealer.

“We’re going to put on a show man and start off that pay-per-view right,” said Benavidez.

The two meet on February 2 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV.